History of the Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the United States Congress on members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Read more

Types of Medals

The Medal of Honor has evolved in appearance since its creation in 1862. The present Army medal consists of a gold star surrounded by a wreath, topped by an eagle on a bar inscribed with the word "Valor." The medal is attached by a hook to a light blue moiré silk neckband. There is a version of the medal for each sub-cabinet component of the Department of Defense: the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force. Read more

Podcasts

The Pritzker Military Library's Executive Producer, Ed Tracy, hosts live, monthly interviews with recipients of the Medal of Honor. Each program can be seen online at The Pritzker Military Library.

Tribute to our Editor

James S. Vlasto, the editor of Medal of Honor News, was dedicated to preserving the history of our war heroes and to spreading awareness about the Medal of Honor and those brave veterans who served in our armed forces.Some people, believe me, don’t know what the Medal of Honor is, I run across it all the time,” he said.Read More

East Room 3:08 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please. And thank you Chaplain Hurley. Thank you to Vice President Mike Pence for joining us for today’s ceremony. Today, it’s my privilege to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to an Army Special Forces medic who now serves in the United States Secret Read more

President Donald J. Trump presented the Medal of Honor to former Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer II at a ceremony Monday, for his heroic actions during an operation in Shok Valley, Afghanistan. Shurer, who serves as a member of the Secret Service Counter Assault Team, and his wife Miranda, were invited to the White House to Read more

East Room 3:41 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Please be seated. Thank you. Thank you, Chaplain. Very well done. Beautiful. We’re honored to be joined by members of Congress, military leaders, distinguished guests from all across our nation. I want to recognize Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Thank y... Read more

President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to the family of a fallen U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller at a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 22, for his extraordinary heroism in March 2002 while deployed to Afghanistan. According to the medal nomination, Tech. Sergeant John Chapman distinguishe... Read more

New Book

Celebrated military historian and bestselling author Patrick O’Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the Tomb itself and recreates the moving ceremony during which it was consecrated and the eight Body Bearers, and the sergeant who had chosen the one body to be interred, solemnly united. Brilliantly researched, vividly told, The Unknowns is a timeless tale of heeding the calls of duty and brotherhood, and humanizes the most consequential event of the twentieth century, which still casts a shadow a century later.